Automatic visual reference system



Nov. 26, 19.40. Fl W. sAMMoNs 2,222,881

AUTOMATIC VISUAL REFERENCE SYSTEM Filed May 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Frazacz'JKSdmmonJ ATTRNEY Nov. 26, 1940. F. w.. sAMMoNs 2,222,881

AUTOMATIC VISUAL REFERENCE SYSTEM Filed May'zv, 1939 2 sheetsfsheet 2 I NVENToR 'ancwhl Samnzons ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 26, 1940 2,222,881 AUTOMATIC' VISUAL REFERENCE SYSTEM Francis W. Sammons, St. Albans., N. Y.

Appiication May 27, 1939, Serial No. 276,115

14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an automatic visual reference system.

The invention has for an object the construction of a system as mentioned which is characterized by a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein, and a novel arrangement for individually displaying each card in the cabinet as the drawer is pulled open.

Still further the invention contemplates an arrangement which will automatically reverse itself and act to display each card in reverse order when the drawer is Closed.

Still further the invention proposes the use of friction wheels arranged to engage the edges of the cards in a novel fashion and to operate to move the cards so that they may be individually seen.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a driving means for the friction wheels arranged to be operatively connected-with the drawer to operate in one direction when the drawer is pulled outwards and in the other direction when the drawer is pushed inwards. In

this way it is proposed to cause the friction wheels to operate in one or the other direction for facilitating selectively moving the cards forwards cr rearwards.

Still further the invention proposes the 'construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may 'oe manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure- Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view of a filing cabinet equipped in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the iront portion of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. f f

`Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on .the line Li--ii of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to the right hand portion of Fig. l but illustrating the parts in a different position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional vie taken o-n the' line 'I--T of Fig. 2.v n

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 2.

The automatic visual reference system in accordance with this invention includes a cabinet Il). A drawer II is slidably mounted in the cabihet and holds a plurality of cards I3 in a close stacked condition with reach card in a vertical position in the drawer. The drawer I I is adapted to be pulled out and pushed in, when desired. It may be slidably supported in any desired manner. In the drawings it is shown with track elements Ill mounted upon the bottom of the drawer and engaging kcomplementary track ele'-` ments I5 mounted upon the cabinet I0. 1 A pair of brackets I6 is pivotally mounted in the cabinet l0 near rthe 4front of the drawer II when the latter isin its closed position. This pair of brackets is arranged so that there is one bracket on each side of the drawer. Each bracket IS indirectly supports a friction wheel I'I. Each Wheel Il extends rearwards and eaclizengages in edgewise contact with the edges of the front cards I3 located immediately to the rear of thefriction wheels. Each friction wheel is resiliently supported.

More specifically each friction wheel VI includes a base portieriA Ha with a coveringo'f friction material Ilb such as rubber material. Each friction wheel has a beveled edge I'IC which engages the edges -of the cards I3.` Each friction wheel I'I is flxedly mounted on a square shaft I 8, which slidably engages through a similar opening in a bushing I9 mounted in the front end of a 35 shaft 2Q. Ahead element 2| is fixed -on the inner end of each shaft I8, and expansion springs 22` are used in each shaft 29, and act against the heads 2| for resiliently urging the shafts I3 into extended positions. f

A bevel gear 23 is mounted upon each shaft 2&1. Each shaft 20 is rotatively but non-'slidably supported in an arrnla of thebracket I6. Each K bevelfgear 23 meshes with a bevel gear 24 xedly held on ashaft Z5 rotatively mounted ina Ver- '45 tical position through the bracket IS. Each shaft v 25 is also mounted through a bearing 26 on a stationary blockV 27 fixedly mounted in the cabinet. The arrangement is such that each bracket` I6 is free to turn on the shaft 25. A roller 28 is mounted on an outer portion of each bracket I6 and engages against the top of the block 2l for assisting in rotatably supporting the bracket. AIA meansv is provided for driving the friction Wheel. .Il forwards and rearwards and this means is operatively connected with the drawer I I. This means includes a bevel gear 29 on the lower end of each shaft 25 meshing with a bevel gear 30 mounted upon a shaft 3| which is rotatively supported in a horizontal position. This shaft 3| eX- tends transversely of the drawer I| and through slots 32 formed in the bottom wall of the drawer. Gears 33 are mounted upon the shaft 3| and mesh with racks 34 mounted upon the drawer The arrangement is such that when the drawer I I is pulled out the racks 34 will turn the gears 33 and so the shaft 3|. This rotation is transmitted indirectly to rotate the friction wheels I1.

A means is provided for pivoting each bracket I6 when the drawer is pushed inwards to direct the friction wheels forwards and in edge contact with the edges of the cards to the front, so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed, and the friction wheels turn rearwards. 'I'his pivoting means includes a rod 35 attached onl each bracket I6 and extending downwards and engaging in between a pair of stops 36 and 31 which are stationarily mounted on the cabinet I0.

These rods 35 limit pivoting of the bracket I6 around the shaft 25 through a certain predetermined distance. A spring 38 is attached to each rod 35 and to the block 21 at points so as to hold the bracket I6 pivoted in one direction with the linger engaging the stop 31, or if the bracket I6 is pivoted in the other direction so that the finger 35 engages the stop 36, the spring 33 will hold the bracket in this latter position. The spring 38 is arranged so as to pass the dead center of pivoting of the bracket I6 and it is for this reason that it holds the bracket in one or the other direction.

A wheel 39 is provided for each rod 35, and is fiXedly mounted on the shaft 3|. These wheels have resilient radial projections 39a which strike against projections 43 on the rods 35. The arrangement is such that when the shaft 3| turns in one direction the resilient fingers 39 will strike the projections 40 and move the rods 35 so that the brackets I6 are in one or the other positions. When the shaft 3| rotates in reverse direction the resilient fingers 3S will strike the projections 40 to pivot the bracket I6 into the other direction. The arrangement is such that when the brackets I6 are in one or the other positions further rotations of the wheels 39 in the same direction will result merely in the resilient fingers 33EL flexibly passing the projections 43. This is so because the brackets I3 cannot pivot further in this particular direction since the rods 35 are striking the stops 36 or 31. However when the shaft 3| is v reversed it will cause the pivoting of the brackets I3 as mentioned.

A roller 4| is mounted centrally on the shaft 3| and projects up through the bottom wall of the drawer through a slot 42. This roller 4| engages the bottom edges of the cards I3 which are between the friction wheels I1.

vThe operation of the device is as follows:`

When the drawer is pulled out the friction wheels I1 will engage the end edges of the cards I3 which are between the'frction wheels, and bow Athem slightly forwards as illustrated in Fig. 1. The friction wheels I1 will be driven in one direction by the transmission which is connected with the drawer II. This transmission includes the racks 34 engaging the gears 33, and the gear transmission system including the bevel gears 23,. This rotation of the friction wheels |1 will cause the cards I 3 to individually move forwards one at a time. The drawer may be slowly pulled open,

and the cards watched and so individually inspected without actually touching of the cards manually.

If the operator wishes to see some of the cards which have already passed, it is merely necessary that the drawer II be pushed slightly inwards. This will cause the racks 34 to drive the gears 33 in the opposite direction. The transmission is now working in reverse and the friction wheels I 1 are now being turned in the opposite direction. Simultaneously, with the first impulse of inward motion of the drawer II, the wheels 39 acting in conjunction with the projections 40 will pivot the rods 35 to their other positions which accordingly pivots the brackets I5. This latter mentioned position is illustrated in Fig. 5. In this new position the friction wheels I1 are now engaging the edges of the cards to the front of them and these cards will be pushed backwards one at a time so that they may be individually inspected.

The roller 4| assists in moving the cards forwards or rearwards. This roller 4| which is of friction material engages the bottom edges of the cards which are being operated upon by the friction wheels I1 throwing them forwards or rearwards depending upon the direction of motion of the drawer.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having'thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, and means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards.

2. An automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotallyvmounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front o-f said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a fiiction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so-that the cards may be individuallyinspected, andy means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer' is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwardsV as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, said friction wheels being resiliently urged against the edges of the cards.

3. An automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical pos'ition, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of `said drawer, and one `bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively sup-ported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, and means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cardsI to the front so that the cards are moved `individually rearwards as the draweris pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, said friction wheels being resiliently urged against the edges of the cards, each friction wheel being associated with telescopically engaging shafts, and eXpansion springs connected between sections of-these shafts and accomplishing the resilient urgingv of said friction wheels.

4. An automatic visual reference system,"com prising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearf wardly and in edgewise contact with. the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards andA operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards, so that the cards may be individually inspected, and means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards,` said means for driving the friction wheels including a transv mission system having a shaft rotatively' supfront of said drawer, and one bracketbeing on each side vof said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to therear ofthe friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as thek drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards 'so that the `cards may be individually inspected, and means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise Contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, each ofy said brackets being provided with a roller engaging upon a stationary block for assistance and pivotally supportingv theA brackets.

6. An automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with eaclh` of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets lpivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on eachV side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards tothe front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed andthe friction wheels turn rearwards, rods attached on the brackets and movable between stops to limit the pivoting of said brackets, and springs connected with said rods and acting across the dead center of pivoting of said brackets to hold the brackets in one or the other position.

7. An automatic visual reference system, cornprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cardsor the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise Contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means fordriving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said car-ds individually forwards as the drawerA is pulled o-pen and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, rrods attached on the brackets and movable between stops to limit the pivoting of said brackets, springs connected with said rods and acting across the dead center of pivoting of said brackets to holdthe brackets in one or the otherpositio'ns, and wheels hav- IPI CIU!) ing flexible figers engaging projections on said rods for flexingv past the projections o-r for causing the brackets to pivot depending upon the direction of rotation of said wheels.

8. An automatic Visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, `a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for movling said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, rods attached on the brackets and movable between stops to limit the pivoting of said brackets, springs connected with said rods and acting across the dead center of pivoting of said brackets to hold the brackets in one or the other positions, and wheels having flexible fingers engaging projections on said rods for flexing past the projections or for causing the brackets to pivot depending upon the direction of rotation of said wheels, said wheels being mounted on a shaft having gears meshing with racks mounted on said drawer.

9. An automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being onl each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drewer is pulled open and the friction Wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, and means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, a shaft for each of said friction wheels formed of separate sections telescopically engaging each other, said friction wheels being mounted on one of said sections and the other of said sections being rotatively but non-slidably supported on said brackets, and resilient means acting between said sections for urging said friction wheels resiliently against the card edges.

10. An automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and lin edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, and means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that theV cards are moved individually rearwards as the-drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, means for holding said bracketsin one direction or the direction past dead center, wheels with resilient fingers to urge the brackets in one direction past dead center when turned in one direction and in the other direction past dead center when turned in the other direction, and means for turning said wheels in one direction when the drawer is pulled out and 'in the other when the drawer is pushed in.

11. An automatic visual reference system, comprisinga cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted on Vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cardsin said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving saidfriction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected withsaid drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and 'the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected,.means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer'is pushed inwards and in edgewise contact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, a friction roller transversely in the bottom of said drawer in line with' said friction wheels, 'and means for driving said friction roller in one direction when the drawer is pulled out and in the other direction when pushed in to assist in moving said cards.

12. AnV automatic visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards or the like in a close stacked position with each ofthe cards in a vertical position, a pair 'of brackets pivotally mounted on vertical axes in said cabinet near the front of said drawer, and one bracket being on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards uin said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, means for driving said friction wheels forwards or rearwards and operatively connected with said drawer for moving said cards individually forwards as the drawer is pulled open and the friction wheels turn forwards so that the cards may be individually inspected, means for pivoting said brackets when the drawer is pushed inwards and in edgewise lcontact with the edges of the cards to the front so that the cards are moved individually rearwards as the drawer is pushed closed and the friction wheels turn rearwards, a friction roller transversely in the bottom of said drawer in line with said friction wheels, and means for driving said friction roller in one direction when the drawer is pulled out and in the other direction when pushed in to assist in moving said cards, including a shaft supporting said friction roller and provided with gears meshing with racks mounted upon said drawer, said shaft being rotatively supported and relatively stationary in relation to said cabinet.

13. An automatic Visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards in a close stacked position with each of the cards in a Vertical position, a pair of brackets-mounted in said cabinet near the front of said drawer and arranged one A on each side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, and means connected with said drawer for driving said friction wheels forwards when said drawer is pulled outwards and rearwards when said drawer is pushed inwards, so that when said drawer is pulled outwards and said friction wheels rotate forwards said cards will be moved individually forwards to expose their front faces to inspection after which the cards will be stacked in the front of the drawer.

14. An automatic Visual reference system, comprising a cabinet, a drawer slidably mounted therein for holding cards in a close stacked position with .each of the cards in a vertical position, a pair of brackets mounted in said cabinet near the front of said drawer and arranged one on eachv side of said drawer, a friction wheel rotatively supported on each bracket and extending rearwardly and in edgewise contact with the end edges of the front cards in said drawer to the rear of the friction wheels, and means connected with said drawer for driving said friction wheels forwards when said drawer is pulled outwards and rearwards when said drawer is pushed inwards, so that when said drawer is pulled outwards and said friction wheels rotate forwards lsaid cards will be moved individually forwards to expose their front faces to inspection after which the cards will be stacked in the front of the drawer, said brackets being pivotally mounted on vertical axes, and means for pivoting said brackets at the start of the inward motion of said drawer to cause said friction wheels to be brought into edgewise contact with the cards located in the front of said drawer to cause the cards to be individually returned to their starting position as the friction wheels rotate rearwards while the drawer is being pushed inwards.

FRANCIS W. SAMMONS. 

